Posted on 11/15/2006 5:50:59 PM PST by NYer
Interview With a Monsignor in Sicily
ROME, NOV. 15, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The archpriest of one of the best-preserved historical centers of Sicily thinks that "the first thing that any parish should engage in is perpetual Eucharistic Adoration."
Monsignor Michele Placido Giordano, archpriest of Mistretta, has always promoted this type of prayer. In fact, the Church of the Most Holy Savior, in Mistretta, is one of only a handful of churches in Italy that has perpetual Eucharistic adoration.
On Nov. 9, Benedict XVI urged a rediscovery of this practice, when he met with participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses.
In this interview, Monsignor Giordano talked about Eucharistic adoration.
Q: Why did you decide at a certain time in your community, which is not very large but is vibrant, to begin perpetual adoration?
Monsignor Giordano: I believe that the first thing that parishes must do is to teach how to pray. Therefore, it is a basic choice, a pillar that sustains everything.
Having made this choice, [I find that] the path is marked out: The people must be given the space where they can encounter themselves.
I was affected when I went around and saw Christians who were going to Buddhist schools of meditation. Then I reflected on the fact that we Catholics did not do enough to teach people to pray.
So I began to promote Eucharistic adoration every week; then every month, prolonged to midnight; on certain occasions the whole day, until we came to the decision, as a gift of Mary right after the Jubilee, to engage in perpetual adoration.
We began on December 13, 2004, precisely on the 17th centenary of St. Lucy. Since then, perpetual Eucharistic adoration has been under way, night and day, which now continues on its own.
Q: Some say that an hour of adoration every now and then is hard work, therefore no thought is given to the possibility of perpetual adoration.
Monsignor Giordano: In Mistretta there was also perplexity in the beginning; now the conviction of the people is absolute. One sees that it is Jesus who leads the community. One must have courage. What is important is to begin.
When actions are carried out in Jesus' name and for him, he then carries them forward. One must have faith. The ways in which works are realized are the most mysterious.
At times, as archpriest, I would like to ask the community for something more, but I don't have the courage; then, it happens that those who go to adoration return with more abundant resources than I could have imagined.
There was a time, for example, when I wanted to close the TeleMistretta television station because I was unable to guarantee the budget. Then a woman of the parish told me not to close it and to trust in the Lord. Sixteen years have gone by since then and the means have always arrived.
Q: What is the minimum number of people needed to ensure perpetual adoration, and how does it unfold?
Monsignor Giordano: At least 24 people are needed during the day to ensure perpetual adoration; one every hour, 168 a week. Obviously it can be the same people who rotate.
We have structured it in four schedules of six hours. There is a captain for every hour who is responsible and who finds solutions when, for different reasons, someone is missing.
During the day, the church where adoration takes place is almost always full. During the night, adoration takes on a special attraction; it is intimate and very beautiful. I see many youths who retire to talk with Jesus.
There are 14 churches that have Eucharistic adoration in Italy, two in Sicily. It is an experience that I recommend to all dioceses and parishes.
Q: What are the fruits of this intensive prayer activity?
Monsignor Giordano: Very many. Now we are about to publish a book with the testimonies of a year of Eucharistic adoration.
There are very many graces. A girl had decided to abort; we prayed and convinced her not to do so. Then, her will began to weaken. We returned to the church to pray and in the end the child was born: He is called Carlo and he and his mother are now supported by the Gemma Project.
Monsignor Ignazio Zambito, bishop of Patti, asked us to pray for vocations at the beginning of adoration. We prayed a lot and the seminary of the Diocese of Patti, which had six seminarians, this year has an additional nine candidates to the priesthood.
Q: Many say there is no time to engage in adoration, that there are many things to do in the parish.
Monsignor Giordano: It is not the case that in engaging in adoration we neglect other activities. We do more. Adoration makes many and more beneficial activities germinate.
In our diocese, for example, along with adoration a new youth center is being launched and now we are on the verge of relaunching the diocesan radio station.
All this benefits much from adoration. Adoration is the root of the plant that, the more prayer it has, the more it grows and develops. We must allow the root to expand. Moreover, prayer gives us the strength and inspiration for the most important ecclesial commitments, those of the defense of life and of the family.
My parish has perpetual adoration. When I went through RCIA, I ws told that the Church has grown both in membership and vocations since it began.
I'm watching this thread for genuine Eucharistic Adoration testimonies that would encourage me to take it more seriously.
I don't have any spectacular miracles at adoration to share with you, but I can tell you that nothing gives me more peace of mind than some time spent with the Blessed Sacrament.
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I have done Eucharistic Adoration for many years. When I first started, it was only at a few parishes in the diocese. Now there are many more.
I am always amazed at the number of "drop-ins". We have "regulars" who sign in, but there are quite a few people who just come in whenever they can and most of them stay an hour. Surprisingly, there are often drop-ins in the later hours of night.
I can't say enough about the value of this time spent in the Presence of the Lord. Also, I don't have any grand ideas about how easy it is. Sometimes it can be hard to shake off the dust of the world and those times, I just have to sit patiently until the sense of true quiet comes. Once in a while I may start to doze off--but even that seems not so bad when the Lord is there. And though I always make sure I pray for my loved ones while I'm there, I try not to make it a "begging" visit.
I look forward to my hour and don't know what more I can say except--try it and if you find your way clear to make a committment, then do it. The world needs people now who will spend one hour with Jesus. I am convinced that Holy Hours will give us more priests, even though we may never know in this life who they are. Holy Hours will also help the men who are already priests.
We adore Thee, O Christ, And we praise Thee.
Have you tried http://www.masstimes.org?
You can look up anywhere in the country to see where there might be perpetual adoration.
It's a great resource when traveling too.
Where in Florida do you live? There are parishes that have Perpetual Adoration. If none are near you, the Monks of Adoration have a chapel webcam. Not as good as being there in person but it serves.
The monks are actually in your area. They are in Venice, Florida. Their URL is www.monksofadoration.org
In Clearwater there is a retreat and cenacle called Marian Servants of Divine Providence. Their URL is www.divineprovidence.org
Both these groups are loyal to the teachings of the Church.
I will do some research and find out what Parishes have Perpetual Adoration in your area. If you get a chance visit Sacred Heart Church in Tampa it is beautiful.
Your are most blessed to be in such a parish. And it is true. Where His people spend time Adoring him 24 hours a day, His graces and blessings pour out on the parish or religious community in the most amazing ways.
I found this on the web.
Eucharistic Adoration in the State of Florida. The URL
is http://www.therealpresence.org/states/florida.htm
I do not know how up to date the list is. You should probably contact the Bishop's office and ask about Perpetual Adoration. Maybe if enough people show an interest he will suggest starting one in a Parish near you.
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